Comparison of the reproducibility of two cervical vertebrae maturation methods

Abstract

Aim: Facial orthopaedic treatments based on the stimulation or restrictions of craniofacial bone growth are more effectivewhen carried out during the pubertal growth spurt. The aim ofthis cross-sectional study was to evaluate the reproducibilityof two cervical vertebrae methods (CVM) with manualtracing and direct visual inspection. Methods: A sampleof 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs (10 of each of the6 CVM stages) was randomly selected from 171 records.5 orthodontists classified these radiographs according tothe skeletal maturation stage in 2002 and 2005, and theapplication of both methods was conducted by direct visualinspection and evaluation through manual tracing. Results:The average reliability of the two methods determinationand the two forms of evaluation was substantial. The directvisual inspection evaluation showed the highest reliabilityand agreement interexaminer values for both methods,as well as the intraexaminers evaluation. Conclusion: Thereproducibility of CVM method was substantial, indicating itsclinical use to determine the skeletal maturity and the idealmoment for treatment execution